New 3.5 kilometres runway at U-Tapao airport to begin construction

U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is set to commence construction of its second runway this year. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is currently seeking a loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to fund the project.

Italian-Thai Development (ITD) has been chosen as the contractor for the runway, according to Chula Sukmanop, secretary-general of the EEC. The project is being coordinated with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), as stated by Tharit Issarayangyun, EEC deputy secretary-general.

The new runway will measure 3,505 metres in length and be situated 1,140 metres from the existing runway. It is expected to handle at least 70 flights per hour and accommodate large aircraft. The total investment for the project is around 15.2 billion baht (US$451 million).

Concerns have been raised by the EEC regarding delays in the construction of a high-speed railway that will link Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports. This high-speed rail system, a flagship project for the EEC, involves a contract with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Asia Era One, a subsidiary of the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group. Negotiations are ongoing and are expected to conclude this month.

Chula mentioned that the design and construction plans for a high-speed rail tunnel, which will pass beneath the second runway, have already been completed. The construction of the runway is anticipated to take 36 months, while the high-speed rail tunnel must be finished within 18 months from the start of the runway contract between the RTN and ITD.

Tharit indicated that if the high-speed train tunnel under the runway is not completed by early 2025, the EEC will propose to remove this task from the joint venture contract with Asia Era One and have the SRT undertake the construction instead to prevent delays in the runway project.

“The SRT and Asia Era One have been informed about this issue. Everyone knows what the solution is,” Tharit said.

The segment of the high-speed rail tunnel that will pass beneath the runway and reach the passenger terminal is approximately 3 to 4 kilometres long, with an estimated construction cost of 10 billion baht (US$297 million), reported Bangkok Post.

In related developments, U-Tapao International Aviation CEO Weerawat Phantawangkul announced that the airport’s development plan is expected to begin next year, with construction lasting at least five years. The plan includes three building projects covering a 6,500-rai area, with at least 100 billion baht (US$3 billion) earmarked for the first phase of renovations.